Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron karvinskianus is a great little perennial covered in white, yellow centred flowers that fade to pink and purple. At Hyde Hall it thrives in the Dry Garden where it loves to grow between the boulders and around the steps, softening the landscape and providing months of colour.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Mexican fleabane
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height & spread
- Up to 50cm (20in) high x up to 100cm (40in) spread
- Form
- Mat-forming herbaceous perennial
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil.
- Aspect
- Full sun, best with midday shade
- Hardiness
- Generally hardy but might need some winter protection
Erigeron
Erigeron is a genus of around 200 annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or lobed leaves, and daisy-like flowers with many slender rays, appearing over a long period in summer.
They grow in dry grassland and mountainous areas, with a wide distribution that is concentrated around North America. They range from small alpine species to tall, bushy plants.
Fleabanes make a good plant for a mixed border, thrive in coastal conditions, and make good cut flowers.
Erigeron karvinskianus
E. karvinskianus is a perennial forming wide mats to 15cm in height, with narrow, hairy leaves and daisy-type flower-heads 15mm in width, opening white but soon turning pinkish-purple. It is woody-based and carpets areas with spreading rhizomes, and is great for cracks and crevices in paths and walls.
Cultivation
- Grow in any, moderately fertile soil
- Ideal for walls and crevices
- May become invasive in mild areas
- Does best in full sun, especially with midday shade
- Deadhead to encourage continued flowering
- Cut back to ground level in autumn
- Generally free from pests and disease
Propagation
- Sow seeds in pots in a cold frame in spring. May self-seed.
AGM
The RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee awarded Erigeron karvinskianus an Award of Garden Merit with the description:
'Perennial forming wide mats to 15cm tall, with narrow, hairy leaves and daisy-type flower-heads 15mm wide, opening white but soon turning pinkish purple.'